((Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride, or any of the characters in this book. They all still belong to James Patterson, well, they still did when I last checked. Enjoy!

But I do own the plots, so PLEASE respect this story and the author and don't steal the plot(s).))

Chapter 24: Uncomfortably Stuck

After breakfast, Max offered to take us all down to the lake near by.

"I'll stay, I don't feel like walking. I've had enough of that," I said, rolling my sore shoulder. Max frowned, obviously unhappy with my choice.

Iggy nodded. "yeah, I'll stay to. I don't what to go for a stupid walk." He grinned at Max.

"Whatever, suit yourselves. See ya in s few."

Iggy waited until Max was outta hear shot, and, just as I knew he would, he pounced on me.

"So, Fang the emotionless crushing on Max the Incredible. Quite a match eh?" He laughed, sitting down next to me.

"It's so obvious Fang, to me anyway. Nudge and that don't know."

"Know what Iggy? What are you taking about?" I knew exactly what he was talking about. He knew too. He just laughed at me, and I was glad he couldn't see my face.

"Come Fang. Why don't you just make a move? Come on! Ask her! I'll only laugh, I swear! Please! I can't stand it any more! You two are really annoying me! You both like each other, your just ignoring it! It's so annoying! Come on!" I punched Iggy shoulder, blushing.

"Oh, come off it! You love it!" I punched him harder.

"Whatever Mr. Sensitive. I don't see you crushing on anyone….you jealous huh?"

"So you admit it!" Oops.

"No! Oh, I hear Angel's available."

"That's just cruel. Just sick! You however, admitted it! Finally!"

"Keep your voice down Ig!" I glanced around nervously.

"What, scared of the truth are we?"

"No! Just shhh!" He laughed at me.

"Iggy! Please!" I was begging him. Me. Begging Him. Jeez.

"Wow, you really don't want her to know do you?" I shook my head.

"No! Finally he gets it!" I sighed just as I heard Max and the rest of the flock walking back.

"Shhh! Or else! I swear-I will so kill you." Iggy laughed again just as Max walked into the clearing.

"What's so funny. Gunna share the joke?" Max raised an eyebrow at us.

"No, he's not. It wasn't funny." I was grumpy now, and it showed. Max frowned.

"Oh, why not Fang?" I hit me again, then got up, flexing my leg. Making sure it was still there.

"hmm…Fang? Can I talk you please?" I froze. Oh sugar. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

Iggy laughed hard, hitting the ground with his fists. Tears were running down his face.

Oh no.

"What!" Max's hand's flew to her hips.

"Fang? Come with me." I was frozen to the spot. I couldn't breath. Oh no.

I peeled my feet off the ground and managed to put on in front of the other.

"What's going on?" Max said, hand's still on her hips, in her 'I'm not messing' voice. Jeez, I hated it when she did that.

"N-Nothing. Why?" Max frowned.

"You've been acting weird ever since we left the house. Did I say something? Did I do something to upset you? 'Cos I don't want you to leave again. I couldn't go through that again. Nether could you." She studied my face, watching me intently. That was my job. I stared back at her.

"No, it's just that…um. I'm not acting weird!" Was I? I didn't notice. That was sarcasm, by the way.

"Yes, you are. And I'm stuck as to why. Please, go ahead. Explain." She stood back, waiting. Agh, great.

"I….I….I" I gave up after the third fail attempt.

Max frowned. "Fang, are you alright? You never stutter."

There was no way I could say this, explain it. So I did the next best thing. I put my hands on her hips, pulled her close to me, one hand in her hair, against her head. I kissed her before she realized what was happening. I pulled her in tighter, feeling her arms creep up to take their place around my neck.

She pulled away, but kept her hands stationary.

"What?" She whispered it, looking me in the eye. "Fang, what are you trying to say?" Was she really going to make me say it. Was she?

Yes, she was.

"I…I like you Max." Wow, that was lame. So I kissed her again, to make up for it. It felt like years before she pulled away again.

"Like, how much?" She sounded nervous.

"Um, heaps?" I wasn't any good at this. She laughed, pulling my hair between her soft fingers.

"I like you too Fang. Heaps! No, seriously, I do. I….I think I love you." I froze as she kissed me, not paying any attention. WHAT!

Did she just say…did she…Agh!

I don't know what to do. Laugh? Cry? Say it…b…agh!

What do I do? Help! Somebody? Anybody?

"I….do too," was all I could say between frozen lips, which were currently busy, thanks to Max.

She laughed at me. She actually laughed at me. Oh jeez.

"I know Fang. I know."